Deville went to the door and retrieved the notification letter. He returned to the dining table and sat down to read it.
The light above the table flickered a few times before going out, plunging the room into darkness.
Lilith complained: "Another power outage. These blackouts are happening more and more often lately."
The frequent outages were severely affecting her study progress.
Marti pulled out a candle and lit it, the warm glow illuminating their faces.
"Brother, the food rations are getting smaller and smaller. What's really happening out there?"
Lilith stared at Deville, looking for answers.
For safety reasons, Deville had strictly forbidden Lilith from leaving the administrative district, let alone venturing beyond the royal district.
Other families in the district had done the same, shielding their children from the harsh and dangerous world outside.
They had all agreed to keep the truth hidden, not wanting their children to face the grim reality of the outside world, for fear that despair would crush their spirits.
Deville gently ruffled Lilith's hair, speaking in a reassuring tone:
"Outside? It's the same as always. The reduced food rations are just temporary. The problem will be solved soon..."
As he said these words, even he felt a bit uncertain.
"The Governor will find a solution!"
He added, his tone becoming more resolute.
Lilith's voice trembled with emotion, and she was close to tears.
These things were hard to keep secret, and children would always find ways to hear bits of information. Some even snuck out to see for themselves, returning terrified by what they had seen.
"I snuck out with Jenny to see for ourselves, and the situation outside is awful. People are dying everywhere...
Those wearing black coats like yours shot several workers and dragged their bodies away!"
"What! Didn't I tell you not to go out?"
Deville's voice rose in anger: "It's too dangerous out there! What if something happened to you?"
"I heard the workers say there's no more food in the royal district. The Governor will stop food distribution, and everyone will starve!"
Lilith's eyes were filled with fear: "Is that true?"
"That's a lie! The Governor won't abandon us!"
"I don't believe you! He hasn't done anything; it's all lies!"
"Lilith!" Deville was genuinely angry this time, not allowing anyone to insult the Governor.
Marti also gave Lilith a stern look: "Have you forgotten the Rapp family's rules?"
Lilith shrank back, her voice softening: "I remember... The descendants of the Rapp family must be unconditionally loyal to and follow the great Governor."
Marti nodded in approval, patiently explaining: "Our ancestors were once slaves in the Black Mines, and it was the current Governor's ancestors who freed us.
They gave us a safe home in the Upper Hive and a prestigious job that has been passed down through the generations.
In other words, everything we have is a gift from the Governor and his family.
Without him, we would be nothing.
If the day ever comes when the Governor is completely defeated...
We will lose everything.
Those outside the royal district, those Underhive mobs...
They will drag us out of our homes, hang us, and take everything we have!"
Lilith sighed: "I understand now. Loyalty to the Governor and protecting his rule is the same as protecting ourselves."
"As long as you understand!"
Deville's tone was stern: "You're never to sneak out again. I don't want to find you in a corpse transport truck... Do you understand?"
Tears welled up in Lilith's eyes as she nodded: "Brother, I won't go out again..."
Deville placed the remaining half of his wood-chip bread onto his sister's plate: "Eat more, so you can study well."
As he lowered his head, he noticed an extra piece of wood-chip bread on his plate.
He looked at Marti, intending to return it: "Mother, I'm not hungry..."
But Marti stopped him, her voice firm.
"You've lost weight. Eat up! You're the one going out to work, and you must maintain the dignity of the Rapp family. Don't let people think we can't even afford food!"
"I'll never disgrace the Rapp family!"
Deville lowered his head, tears in his eyes, as he forced the wood-chip bread into his mouth and chewed it vigorously, washing it down with water.
After this little episode, the family returned to their quiet meal, focusing on the corpse starch on their plates.
It wasn't an easy thing to swallow.
As Deville struggled to choke down the corpse starch, he opened the important notification from the royal district.
In the candlelight, he carefully read the words.
It was an order from the royal district, summoning all logistics department personnel to gather at headquarters the next day for a new assignment.
Excitedly, he exclaimed: "By the Emperor, I knew it! The Governor hasn't abandoned us. He's found a way to solve the food crisis!"
Marti and Lilith were both surprised.
Deville eagerly handed them the letter:
"Look, it's from the Governor. He says he's found a preliminary solution to the food problem, and now he needs everyone in the royal district to work together.
All hearts and minds united, working toward the same goal!
He also said that everyone has worked hard during these tough times, and the food and supplies will return to normal.
We'll all be fed so we can work harder!
Everyone's contribution will be remembered. May the royal district be with you!"
Deville's voice trembled with emotion as he read the Governor's final words. He was overwhelmed with excitement.
The Governor's tone this time was different from before—clearer, more relatable, even with a hint of warmth.
Marti nodded in admiration: "As expected of the heir to the Grant family, with thousands of years of heritage. The Governor truly has a way!"
Lilith was overjoyed: "Does this mean we won't have to eat wood-chip bread and that nasty black stuff anymore?"
Deville and Marti didn't tell her that the "black stuff" was corpse starch.
Nor did they mention its actual composition.
Lilith only knew it was something disgusting to eat.
Deville looked at Lilith, his voice firm:
"Yes, as long as we carry out the Governor's plan and help the royal district through this crisis, we won't have to eat this junk anymore!"
Brother, you have to work really hard. The future of the royal district depends on you!"
"Of course! For the Governor, for the royal district, and for you both, I won't slack off!"
Deville excitedly talked with his mother and sister for a while longer before retiring to bed early.
He wanted to conserve his energy and be in peak condition to carry out the Governor's new orders.
Beep beep beep "For the Governor!"
The electronic alarm from his bedside clock startled Deville awake.